The first Godzilla film was released in 1954, and since then the creation has appeared in another 28 films.

The name Godzilla comes from the Japanese words gorira and kujira meaning Gorilla and Whale.

In 1998 a big budget hollywood film Godzilla hit the cinema screens, but failed to be a box office hit. The movie merchandise on the other hand flew off the shelves. K-B toys who produced the official movie merchandise, held back releasing its stock until the movie had hit the screens.

Taco Bell also hoped to profit from the films release, spending around $20 million on it's Godzilla promotion.

Godzilla action figures are also made by Takara who succesfully launched Transformers toys. The company has close ties with Hasbro and is also known for its minature robotic turtles named Walkie Bits.